British Potato Council chairman David Walker said it is vital the potato industry participates fully in the levy board consultation process that began with last week’s publication of the Radcliffe Report.
The report, by Rosemary Radcliffe, recommended sweeping changes to the country’s levy boards. Walker, pictured, said: “It’s critical that we invest the time to understand the detail and that the potato industry makes its wishes known.
“We welcome the Radcliffe Report and are pleased that much of it echoes the case the BPC made in its submission to the process. Broadly, the structures and proposals are positive. However, it would be wrong for anyone in our industry to assume that what’s in the report is what they’ll get after consultation.”
He told FPJ: “The author has done a very good job in talking to people, but it is important that people realise that this is just her interpretation of what needs to happen, it has not had any spin from government. The potato industry must recognise that this is their industry and this is their opportunity to decide what they want to do with it and where they want to go. Processors and growers needs may be different, but they have to come together now.”
Walker stressed the need for the industry to act immediately. “This is just a 12 week consultation, with more than a week already gone and with Christmas looming, positive action is needed now.
“I’d urge individual levy payers and groups to make direct contributions to Defra, but also to engage with their various trade organisations as these will hold great sway in the process. People should want to influence what their trade bodies say.”
Achieving real added value, while also securing a supply-chain levy system and retaining a potato focus directly facing the industry, are among the key issues for potatoes, according to Walker.
“We support the proposal that common back-office services are shared, but if we are truly going to get benefits and savings, then there can’t be half measures. From the outset the BPC was unanimous in its view that change was only justified if it was going to be decisive and significant.”
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